A remarkable discovery of ancient Roman gold coins, believed to be over 1,600 years old, has left archaeologists in awe. A team from Luxembourg recently unearthed a stash of 141 gold coins at an excavation site in the northern village of Holzthum, which prominently feature the profiles of nine Roman emperors who ruled during the 4th and 5th centuries.
One of the most intriguing coins in the collection features the face of Eugenius, a short-lived and controversial usurper who briefly ruled the Western Roman Empire following the mysterious death of Emperor Valentinian II. The coins, according to Smithsonian Magazine, offer a rare glimpse into the tumultuous period at the end of the Roman Empire.
The excavation, which began as early as 2019 after an amateur metal detectorist discovered coins in the area, was led by Luxembourg’s National Institute for Archaeological Research (INRA). Official excavation efforts commenced between 2020 and 2024, as reported by RTL Lëtzebuerg’s Marc Hoscheid. The site, however, posed significant challenges due to the presence of unexploded munitions and ordnance from World War II, prompting collaboration with the country’s Army Mine Action Service to ensure safe excavation.
In addition to the coin cache, archaeologists also uncovered the ruins of ancient structures at the site, believed to be the remnants of a burgus—a type of small Roman fortress or watchtower. This further suggests the site’s historical significance as a strategic location during Roman times.
The gold coins, mostly solidi minted in the early 4th century CE, are estimated to be worth $322,000 today. Historian Rebecca Usherwood from Trinity College Dublin commented on the significance of the discovery, noting that such a large collection of coins would have represented immense wealth. “Most people in the Roman Empire would rarely, if ever, have seen a single gold coin. To find this many indicates the owner was of considerable social standing, likely a military officer rather than a common soldier,” Usherwood said.
The coins originate from a period of significant change for the Roman Empire. During the early 4th century, the empire was undergoing a shift towards Christianity under Emperor Constantine I. However, by the early 5th century, the region—encompassing present-day Germany, Luxembourg, and France—was increasingly besieged by Germanic invasions, weakening Roman control. Usherwood speculated that the coins might have been buried by their owner, who could not flee the region. “Perhaps they were involved in a skirmish or cut off from the site. It’s likely they died before they could recover their treasure,” Usherwood suggested.
As experts begin analyzing the coins in early 2025, the results of their findings are expected to be published in a scientific journal. Luxembourg’s Culture Minister Eric Thill noted that while the excavation process will take time, it will undoubtedly enhance our understanding of the final century of the Western Roman Empire.
“This discovery will increase our knowledge and understanding of the last century of the Roman Empire in the West,” Thill said in a statement, as reported by Live Science.
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